According to PennDOT and Gov. Josh Shapiro’s office, Newtown Township will get $326,931 for pedestrian upgrades at two unsignalized intersections. The improvements include overhead and post-mounted Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons, federally-compliant signage, pedestrian push buttons and high-visibility crosswalks. The intersections are located at Newtown-Yardley Rd/Tara Blvd and Sycamore St/Silo Dr.
Learn more about these projects here...
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John Mack's Insights:
Newtown Walk residents who have been lobbying for the improvements since 2022 said they are grateful for the funding, which they said will improve safety at the crossing. See this video clip from the October 26 , 2022, Newtown Board of Supervisors (BOS) meeting: “Newtown Walk Residents Ask for Additional Pedestrian Safety Measures”
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The pedestrian crossing at the Centre Avenue Bridge has been closed since 22 Jan 2024 after a hole was discovered in the walkway Monday morning. The First National Bank of Newtown reported the problem. The bank's employees frequently use the walkway to access the bank's Sycamore Street parking lot across from Olde St. Andrews Church.
More details here...
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John Mack's Insights:
UPDATE (2/1/24): NewtownPA Now reports that the ridge walkway has been repaired by PennDOT crews. “A more comprehensive repair will be needed as a future PennDOT project,” a PennDOT representative said. The bridge was listed as being in “fair” condition by the state. Records state the span is “functionally obsolete.”
Problems for pedestrians crossing Newtown Creek using the current Newtown Creek bridge crossings - at Centre Ave and at Jefferson St - have been noted by proponents of the two proposed NEW pedestrian bridges: one at Frost Lane and the Steeple View bridge. Neither of these, however, would be available in the near future. It is imperative, therefore, the Centre Ave pedestrian walkway be fixed ASAP.
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SVN Commercial Real Estate confirmed that it is entertaining offers for the nearly 6,000-square-foot restaurant and liquor license from potential investors, buyers, and developers.
The owners of the property, Priya and Ashni Guru, closed their popular restaurant earlier this month to travel to India to finalize the adoption of two girls in India. When they left, Priya said they had hoped to return in the spring to reopen.
More...
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The Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) [brought] the fight for a free Palestine to the suburbs with a "Flood Newtown For Palestine Rally" on Wednesday, January 17, 2024. The pro-Palestinian group, numbering about 50, gathered in the parking lot at the Newtown Shopping Center where they rallied and gave a few speeches before taking to the streets of Newtown.
As the pro-Palestine group marched down Durham Road toward Sycamore Street chanting "Free, Free Palestine," they were met by more than 100 members of the Bucks County Jewish community.
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John Mack's Insights:
The Newtown Township Police Department commended the community for “their cooperation and commitment to maintaining peace during the recent war protest…
The protest and march, which was organized privately by a local resident and shared via social media, aimed to raise awareness and express community concerns regarding the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
The police department..[ensured] the protection of First Amendment rights while maintaining public safety in Newtown.”
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From www.phillyburbs.com - Jan 19, 2024
Newtown has a reputation as a walkable community…[but] on Buck Road at its intersection with Mill Pond Drive, an older woman walker from the Newtown Crossing development was struck by vehicles twice in one year, Newtown Township Police Chief John Hearn said, even though there is a traffic signal for pedestrians there.
Police Chief John Hearn told Newtown Township supervisors that serious vehicular accidents in the township rose from 45 in 2022 to 106 last year, a 136% increase.
Resident Marc Bjorkman showed the supervisors photos of car parts left by the side of the road from accidents that he thinks occurred when one vehicle rear-ended another that had stopped for a pedestrian. He said drivers in a second or third car behind a stopping vehicle may not see the pedestrian and that's why the flashing light to alert motorists to the crosswalk there is so important..
More details here...
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The Borscht Belt Deli appealed the township’s notice that the neon sign in its window is in violation of the township’s signage ordinance (read “Borscht Belt Delicatessen Seeks Variance to Allow Neon Sign in Window”). The Newtown Township Zoning Hearing Board (ZHB) heard the case at its January 4, 2024, meeting but put off its decision until its February 1 meeting.
In a Facebook post, the deli owners asked supporters to "make their voices heard" at the meeting, fully expecting the ZHB’s “Final Answer” to go against them “even though we proved our case by a mountain of evidence.” (listen). The ZHB’s answer DID go against them in a 3-1 vote.
After the decision, the deli’s co-founder, Mike Dalewitz met with about 15 people outside the meeting room. He urged them to continue the fight. “With your involvement,” he said, “we can send a powerful message to local authorities and demonstrate the significance of preserving cultural landmarks and equal justice. Together, we can work towards fair and just enforcement of codes, ensuring that no one is unjustly targeted in the future.”
Listen to his comments…
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The owners of Amma’s South India Cuisine obtained conditional use approval from the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors to open a 72-seat restaurant at the former Zoës Kitchen on North Sycamore Street.
At its January meeting, the township's planning commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of the application by the supervisors. "I am happy to see something going in that space," said planning chair Peggy Driscoll. "It's been empty for a long time."
More...
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John Mack’s Insights:
At the January 24, 2024 BOS meeting where this application was approved, I asked the applicants if they intended to serve alcohol, which would require a liquor license. They said no, but admitted at least one of their other restaurants does serve alcohol. Since Guru's is now on the market (see link below), its liquor license is also up for grabs. Will Amma's buy it?
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Bucks County Community College will honor three individuals with the third annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Leadership Awards on Friday, January 26.
This year’s honorees are:
- Community Leader: Billie Barnes, Executive Director, Workforce & Economic Development, County of Bucks
- Corporate Leader: Bernard Tynes, Chief Experience & Impact Officer, Penn Community Bank
- Humanitarian Leader: Erin Lukoss, Executive Director/CEO, Bucks County Opportunity Council
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John Mack’s Insights:
Attend the 21 February 2024 meeting of the Human Relations Commission (HRC) to learn about events celebrating Black History Month and projects sponsored by the HRC. See the agenda and how to attend in person or via Zoom here.
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